Ring of steel protects Iraqi lifeblood

[cal04]

The warships circling the giant oil terminal in the hazy twilight off the Iraqi coast bear silent testimony to its importance.

Basra Oil Terminal is the main source of Iraq's revenues, a key supplier to the global energy market and an obvious target for insurgents aiming to thwart the country's economic recovery.

Warships from the United States, Britain and Australia are there to guard against any seaborne attack as the terminal pumps crude oil into the holds of berthed tankers, while others queue nearby.

Shukur Mahmoud Taha, terminal manager for Southern Oil Company, says 1.8 million barrels a day are being exported.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/COL967719.htm

[patdem]

1. Damn, I thought they were building something to protect the PEOPLE

their 'lifeblood'...GRR!